Seizures

A seizure is an external manifestation of an intermittent massive electrical abnormality in the brain. Seizures that are caused by demonstrable diseases are best called acquired; those seizures for which no cause can be determined are know as secondary seizures. Secondary Seizures are categorized as idiopathic and are the most common form. Typically, they begin between the ages of six months and five years.

What is a seizure?

Any of the listed affectations can occur alone or in combination, depending on what parts of the brain have been involved:

Behavioral changes

Disorientation

Hallucination

Hysteria

Momentary/complete loss of consciousness

Fixed expression

Stiffening and rigidity

Muscle spasms

Rapid heartbeat

Twitching

Paddling

Salivation

Urination

Defecation

Vomiting

How the PWDCA is addressing this:

Because we do not know if this is hereditary, we are currently collecting data and pedigrees. We need to learn what types of seizures PWD's have. We know we have epilepsy but because there are lots of kinds of seizures, we just need to start by documenting what we can. Possibly down the road this data will be of use to researchers to help us in eliminating this problem.

Why the PWDCA is addressing this:

Seizures have been found to be hereditary in other breeds. We need to learn as much as we can about this in the PWD so that we can breed better health in our dogs.

How the PWDCA is dealing with this:

We are keeping records (confidential if requested) of all dogs reported having a seizure, multiple seizures or known Epileptic dogs.